Backlog maintenance blitz

Published Tuesday, 21 October, 2014 at 10:00 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

Queensland public hospital patients will continue to receive world-class health care in a high quality and safer environment with building repair programs worth more than $124 million now underway.

The essential operational maintenance and upgrades at key local facilities throughout the state, neglected by the former Labor Government, follows on from $51.6 million in emergency repair projects unveiled in the first LNP budget (2012-’13).

Premier Campbell Newman and Health Minister Lawrence Springborg today unveiled an update of the $327 million Backlog Maintenance Remediation Program, with a significant number of programs already underway.

“There are currently more than 2000 jobs that are scheduled to be completed in health services and hospitals throughout Queensland,” Mr Newman said.

“These jobs are addressing the really basic, but important, issues, in health facilities, that were neglected by our predecessors which compromise the safety and quality of our health facilities, our dedicated staff and our patients.

“They include fixing or replacing cupboards, painting, replacing ageing air-conditioners and generators and plumbing and electrical repairs.”

A dire need for urgent repairs at locations across the State was revealed in an initial report received by the former Labor Government in 2010, but which gathered dust until 2012.

Following announcements this week about the massive reduction in long term waiting lists and the $23.4 million-dollar eye surgery blitz, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the maintenance program was further proof of the Queensland Government’s strong plan to clean up Labor’s health mess.

“These are repairs and refurbishments needed to ensure the world class health care offered to Queensland patients is delivered in high quality and safe environments,” Mr Springborg said.

“The Hospital and Health Services are doing a great job of handling the project management requirements and are progressing with their program of works.”

Mr Springborg said one of the priority areas of work for this year would be the refurbishment and maintenance of elevators and lifts.

“This financial year alone will see close to $9.5 million spent on elevators and lifts in our health facilities and hospitals throughout various regions in Queensland,” he said.

The safety and smooth movement of patients, staff and visitors throughout our facilities is absolutely paramount and we strive to provide the absolute best care.”

Mr Springborg said Hospital and Health Services were now able to clear the backlog of maintenance work that had built up in the regions.

“These works represent a significant investment by the State Government and I am very pleased these maintenance issues are being addressed and progressing well,” Mr Springborg said.

[ENDS] 21 October 2014

Media Contact: Cathy Border 0412 722702

 

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Townsville HHS – air conditioners, floors, lighting and road work.

 Central Queensland HHS – walls, emergency lighting, IT equipment, roof work.